Videoendoscope with configurable tactile controls

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a videoendoscope comprising a videoendoscopic probe comprising an inspection tube having a distal end housing an image sensor, and a control handle fixed to the proximal end of the inspection tube, the control handle comprising a display screen, and a video processing circuit connected to the image sensor and the display screen, the display screen being covered by a touch panel, and having a format such that its surface may be divided into an image display area occupying a whole height of the display screen and having a format corresponding to that of a photosensitive surface of the image sensor, and a lateral control key display area having a sufficient surface to display several control keys of sufficient size to be individually operated.

The present invention relates to a videoendoscopic probe of the compacttype comprising a control handle housing a tip deflection controldevice, an acquisition, process and image storing device, as well as aflat screen allowing endoscopic images to be visualized. The presentinvention applies particularly, but not exclusively, to industrialendoscopy.

The term “videoendoscope” generally refers to an endoscopy systemallowing the image of a target located in a dark cavity to be observedon a video screen. Such a system more usually comprises avideoendoscopic probe, and additional operating devices. Avideoendoscopic probe usually comprises a distal tip, a usually flexibleinspection tube, which distal end is attached to the distal tip, acontrol handle attached to the proximal end of the inspection tube, alighting device for lighting the target observed, an image processingdevice, a visualization screen, a control key panel and a flexibleumbilical cable which distal end is attached to the control handle.

The distal tip houses an objective and an optoelectronic device of smalldimensions comprising in particular an image sensor associated to aninterface circuit. The objective is associated to the image sensor so asto form an image on the photosensitive surface of the image sensor. Theimage sensor may for example be of the type interline transfer three CCDor CMOS sensor. The proximal end of the umbilical cable is provided witha multiple connector allowing the probe to be connected to an additionaloperating device. The lighting device generally comprises a beam oflighting fibers successively housed in the umbilical tube, the controlhandle, and the inspection tube. The distal end of the beam of lightingfibers is integrated into the distal tip, to light the target. Theproximal end of the beam of lighting fibers is housed into the multipleconnector of the umbilical cable to be connected to a light generator.The image processing device comprises a video processor which may behoused in the control handle. The video processor is then linked to thedistal image sensor by a multicore electric cable housed in theinspection tube. The video processor simultaneously acts on thesynchronization of the image sensor and the amplitude of the unprocessedanalog signal supplied by the latter. The video processor is configuredto transform into a useful video signal the analog signal supplied bythe distal image sensor. To that end, the video processor issynchronized by an original setting according to the length andelectrical features of the multicore cable housed in the inspectiontube. The visualization screen allows the useful video signal suppliedby the image processing device to be viewed. It may be flat and embeddedon the control handle. The control key panel allows the operationparameters of the image processing device to be set, and may also beembedded on the control handle.

Generally, videoendoscopic probes may also comprise a distal jointed tipdeflection, and interchangeable optical heads which may be locked on thedistal tip of the probe. The tip deflection allows the direction of thedistal tip of the inspection tube to be modified. It is operated bymechanical means (controlled by two thumb wheels and two locking levers)or electromechanical means (controlled by a joystick) which may beintegrated into the control handle. The interchangeable optical headsallow all or part of the following optical parameters to be modified:the field covered by the optical objective associated to the imagesensor, the focusing distance, the depth of field, and the viewingdirection. Distal heads also exist, configured to generate a splittedimage susceptible of being processed by a specific three-dimensionalmeasurement program.

The additional operating devices susceptible of being connected to theproximal end of the umbilical cable may comprise an electric powersupply which comprises a storage battery, or a case which can beconnected to a source of alternating or direct current. They may alsocomprise a light generator conventionally comprising a halogen or xenonlamp. They may also comprise a digital processing and image savingdevice comprising either a simple portable computer equipped with avideo input, or a dedicated system which may be controlled locally fromthe control panel on the handle of the videoendoscopic probe. Thedigital processing device may be configured to save unitary images orsequences of images on a removable digital support susceptible of beingread by the image processing device or a computer. The digitalprocessing device may also implement a three-dimensional measurementprogram allowing a “stereo” distal head to be used.

Recently, the miniaturization of components has allowed a lightingdevice to be implemented, which does not comprise a remote lighting lampconventionally used in endoscopy, but one or more electroluminescentdiodes. It has also become possible to integrate into the videoprocessor one or more dedicated digital devices to manage in real timefunctions such as image freezing, progressive zoom, image inversion inparticular to compensate the optical original image inversion introducedby the partial reflection prisms integrated into the deviated viewingdistal heads. To improve the global sensitivity of a videoendoscopicprobe, a low speed electronic shutter control has also been integratedinto the video processor, lower than the duration of a video frame (i.e.1/50 s in PAL standard or 1/60 s in NTSC standard).

The currently most universal and efficient videoendoscopes gather thedevices previously mentioned. To that end, two types of very differentarchitectures may be implemented. In a first type of architecture, thevideoendoscopic probe is associated to a remote operating deviceconnected to the end of the umbilical cable. The control handle of thevideoendoscopic probe may then gather a tip deflection powering device,a lighting device by LED to light the target observed, a video processorprovided with image processing functions in real time, such asprogressive zoom and low speed shutter control, and a control panelcomprising a joystick for controlling the tip deflection and severalkeys allowing the functions of the video processor to be directlycontrolled and the functions integrated into the remote operating deviceto be remotely controlled. The operating device may then comprise afunction for saving and processing in delay time endoscopic images, avisualization screen, a control key panel, an electric power supply bybattery or alternating current, and possibly, a connection base of anauxiliary visualization screen. The visualization screen of theoperating device has a 4/3 format corresponding to that of thephotosensitive surface of the image sensor, and dimensions sufficient toperform with enough precision pointing inherent to the implementation ofa three-dimensional measurement program. The control key panel of theoperating device allows the functions for saving and processing imagesin delay time to be controlled, and the functions integrated into thehandle of the videoendoscopic probe to be remotely controlled.

In the second type of architecture, the control handle performs all thefunctions of the control handle of the videoendoscopic probe of thefirst type of architecture and of the remote operating device.

In both types of architectures, the simultaneous management by a samekeypad of keys of image saving or processing functions in real time andimage processing functions in delay time has the ergonomic drawback ofallocating to each control key several functions, each corresponding toan operating phase.

It is therefore desirable to make a videoendoscopic probe which is bothcompact and ergonomic.

Embodiments relate to a method for controlling a videoendoscopecomprising a videoendoscopic probe comprising an inspection tube havinga distal end housing an image sensor, and a control handle fixed to theproximal end of the inspection tube, the control handle comprising adisplay screen, and a video processing circuit connected to the imagesensor, and the display screen. According to one embodiment, the methodcomprises: providing the control handle with a display screen and atouch panel covering the display screen, the display screen and thetouch panel having a format such that their surface may be divided intoan image display area occupying a whole height of the display screen andhaving a format corresponding to that of a photosensitive surface of theimage sensor, and a lateral control key display area having a sufficientsurface to display several control keys of sufficient size to beindividually operated, and controlling the display screen and the touchpanel so as to display an image elaborated from signals coming from theimage sensor in the image display area, and several control keys in thelateral control key display area.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises controlling thedisplay screen and the touch panel so as to display and manage in thecontrol key display area all the control keys necessary to a usualoperating phase of the videoendoscopic probe.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises controlling thedisplay screen and the touch panel so as to have the control key displayarea at the left and/or at the right of the image display area,according to a configuration parameter.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises controlling thedisplay screen so as to have a control key in the control display areain various ways according to the state of a function controlled by thecontrol key.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises controlling thedisplay screen and the touch panel so as to display and managenavigation keys upward, downward, leftward and rightward, to control adistal tip deflection of the videoendoscopic probe.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises configuring thevideoendoscopic probe in an autonomous control mode in which the probeis controlled from the touch panel, or in a remote mode in which theprobe is controlled from a computer to which it is connected.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises controlling thevideoendoscopic probe so as to perform at least one of the following isfunctions: managing information configured according to an operatingphase currently processed and displayed in the image display area,managing control keys displayed in the control key display area,according to the operating phase currently processed, and managingorders introduced through the touch panel, by activating a control keydisplayed.

Embodiments also relate to a videoendoscope comprising a videoendoscopicprobe comprising an inspection tube having a distal end housing an imagesensor, and a control handle fixed to the proximal end of the inspectiontube, the control handle comprising a display screen, and a videoprocessing circuit connected to the image sensor, the display screen anda proximal multicore cable allowing the video processing circuit to beconnected to an operating equipment. According to one embodiment, thedisplay screen is covered by a touch panel, the display screen and thetouch panel having a format such that their surface may be divided intoan image display area occupying a whole height of the display screen andhaving a format corresponding to that of a photosensitive surface of theimage sensor, and a lateral control key display area having a sufficientsurface to display several control keys of sufficient size to beindividually operated, the videoendoscope being configured to implementthe method previously defined.

According to one embodiment, the display screen and the touch panel havea 16/9 format, while the photosensitive surface of the image sensor hasa 4/3 format.

According to one embodiment, the video processing circuit is connectedto a proximal multicore cable allowing the video processing circuit tobe connected to an external operating equipment.

Embodiments also related to a videoendoscopic system comprising avideoendoscope and a computer connected to the videoendoscope through aninterface circuit. According to one embodiment, the videoendoscope issuch as previously defined.

According to one embodiment, the computer is configured to perform, in aremote control mode of the videoendoscope, at least one of the followingfunctions: parametering and process functions in real time of the videosignals processed by the video processor VP, saving and processing indelay time the video signals, executing an image process program indelay time, and visualizing images coming from the videoendoscopic probeand coming from process in delay time.

According to one embodiment, the interface circuit is configured to beconnected to the computer through a link of USB type to transmit videoimages between the videoendoscope and the computer, and a link of USBtype to transmit commands of the videoendoscope from the computer in aremote control mode of the videoendoscope.

Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter, in relationwith, but not limited to the appended figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional compact videoendoscopicprobe,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the distal and proximal faces ofa compact videoendoscopic probe, according to one embodiment,

FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of the videoendoscopic probeof FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 schematically shows electronic circuits of the videoendoscopicprobe, according to one embodiment,

FIGS. 6A to 6H show various image configurations displayed on the screenof the videoendoscopic probe of FIGS. 2 to 4.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional compact videoendoscopic probe comprising acontrol handle 1 a attached to the proximal end of a flexible inspectiontube 2 and the distal end of an umbilical cable 3. The cable 3 has aproximal end connectable to a power supply device 10. The handle 1 ahouses a tip defection powered control device, a lighting device usingdiode LED, a video processor with processing functions in real time, anda digital image saving or processing device in delay time. The handle 1a also supports a radiator 4 housing the lighting diode LED, and avisualization screen DS1 for displaying images in the conventional 4/3format corresponding to the proportions of the photosensitive surface ofthe image sensors used in videoendoscopy. The handle 1 a also supportstwo flexible covers 8, 9 guaranteeing the tightness of two connectionplates allowing a USB key for saving images, a headset, and an auxiliaryvideo output to be connected. The handle 1 a also supports a controlpanel KB comprising a is joystick 7 for tip deflection control, and aset of control keys, for example tactile. The control keys make itpossible to control in particular, in a “live” operating mode of theprobe, image saving functions, real time functions of the videoprocessor, . . . , and in a “menu” operating mode, functions for readingprestored images, video parametering, delay time process, . . . .

According to one embodiment, the videoendoscopic probe comprises acompact and ambidextrous control handle housing a powered tip defectioncontrol device, a lighting device using diode LED to light the targetobserved, a video processor, and a visualization and control device. Thevideo processor performs real time process functions such as: imageinversion, image freezing, progressive zoom, low speed electronicshutter, . . . . The visualization and control device comprises a flatvisualization screen in the 16/9 format, associated to a touch panel ofsame dimensions as the screen and arranged thereon. The visualizationscreen is divided into two display areas, i.e. a first display area atthe 12/9 format (i.e. 4/3), dedicated to the display of endoscopicimages, and a second display area in the 4/9 format, dedicated to thedisplay of touch control keys. The first display area therefore has aformat corresponding to the proportions of CMOS or CCD image sensorssusceptible of being integrated into the distal end of thevideoendoscopic probe. The second display area may be displayed at theright or the left of the first display area, according to the choice ofthe user, for example according to whether s/he is right or left handed.The touch control keys shown in the second display area areautomatically reconfigured and renamed at each operating phase, so as toshow to the user only the keys which are strictly necessary to themanagement of the current operating phase.

The control handle also houses a digital device for saving andprocessing images, programmed to perform the following functions:

-   -   managing information configured according to the operating phase        currently processed and displayed in the first screen display        area, i.e.: endoscopic images, comment texts, operating        instructions, alphanumeric keyboard, . . . .    -   managing control keys displayed according to the operating phase        currently processed, and displayed in the second display area,        and    -   managing orders introduced through the touch panel and resulting        from the activation of the control keys displayed on the        visualization screen.

The orders input through the control keys relate in particular to thefollowing functions:

-   -   controlling the tip deflection powering device of the        videoendoscopic probe,    -   parametering the video processor,    -   controlling the image processing functions in real time of the        video processor,    -   controlling the functions for saving unitary images or sequences        of images, and    -   controlling various image processing functions in delay time,        such as reading stored images, procedures of measurement by        comparison, procedures of three-dimensional measurement, . . . .

The digital image saving and processing device may comprise a dedicateddigital signal processor designed to that end, or, an embedded card ofPC type, associated to a compression video to USB converter. Theimplementation of a PC card has the advantage of offering standardinterfaces for the connection of an auxiliary visualization screen, forexample in the LVDS or VGA standard, and a USB key for storing images.

Due to the fact that it is integrated into the control handle, thedigital image processing device has a necessarily small physical size,and is therefore limited in terms of memory capacity and processorresource. The digital device may therefore not comply with inspectionmethods implying heavy procedures such as modeling programs or programsfor consulting digital maintenance manuals, accessible only using acomputer having a significant computing power. Thus, the videoendoscopicprobe may, according to one embodiment, comprise a specific umbilicalcable susceptible of being connected to an external computer through aninterface device configured to allow the user to remotely control theprobe from the computer keyboard, and thus to implement specific imageprocessing programs.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a videoendoscopic probe, according to one embodiment.The probe comprises a control handle 1 attached to the proximal end of aflexible inspection tube 2 which distal end houses an optoelectronicdevice comprising an image sensor, and to the distal end of is anumbilical cable 3 which proximal end can be connected to a power supplydevice. The handle 1 comprises a case comprising a higher shell 12 and alower shell 13, and housing:

-   -   a distal tip deflection powered control device,    -   a lighting device using diode LED to light a target observed        through the distal tip of the probe,    -   a video processor performing real time video processing        functions such as zoom, image freezing and low speed shut,    -   a digital processing device performing functions of        saving/reading images and processing images in delay time.

The handle 1 also supports a distal radiator 4 housing the lightingdiode LED, and supporting a base 14 attached to the proximal end of theinspection tube 2. The handle 1 also comprises a proximal connectiondevice comprising an electric connection base 15 for connecting theumbilical cable 3, and a connection plate 16 protected by a sealingcover 17, for example flexible. The plate 16 gathers a connector 18 of amemory card, such as a USB key, bases 19 for connecting a headset, and avideo output base 20 which can be connected to an auxiliaryvisualization screen, for example of VGA type.

The handle 1 also supports a visualization screen DS in the 16/9 formatassociated to a transparent touch panel of same format. Thevisualization screen DS comprises an image display area in the 12/9format (i.e. 4/3) and a control area in the 4/9 format.

FIG. 4 shows the mechanical arrangement of the elements of the controlhandle 1, according to one embodiment. The higher shell 12 is made inmolded plastic and internally metalized. The handle 1 comprises ametallic shield plate 21 intended to be fixed to the higher shell 12.The plate 21 supports the visualization screen DS on its higher face andits lower face, an electronic card 22 in which the digital imageprocessing device is embedded.

The processing device may comprise a compression video to USB converterand an embedded processing card of PC type. The processing device isconnected to the screen DS which may be in the LVDS standard, thecontrol touch panel, the auxiliary video output 20, and the connector 18to connect to a USB key allowing unitary images, for example in the JPEGstandard and sequences of images, for example in the MPEG4 standard, tois be stored and read.

The handle 1 comprises a metallic plate 23 supporting two servomotors24, each driving a pulley coupled to a pair of cables controlling theangulation in a (vertical or horizontal) plane of the tip deflectionintegrated into the distal end of the inspection tube 2. The plate 23also supports the base 14 at the proximal end of the inspection tube 2.

The handle 1 comprises a metallic shield plate 30 which is fixed to thehigher shell 13. The plate 30 supports the video processor 31 whichpositions into a housing 32 provided to that end in a lower part of theshell 13. The processor 31 is linked to the image sensor housed in thedistal end of the inspection tube 2 through a multicore cable housed inthe tube. The processor supplies a video signal which is transmitted tothe digital image processing device on the card 22.

The lower shell 13 may be made in molded plastic and internallymetalized, and fixes to the higher shell 12. The shell 13 comprisesventilation orifices 33 and supports the electric base 15 for connectingthe umbilical cable 3. The radiator 4 is fixed to the distal face of theshell 13 and has an internal recess in which are arranged a circuit 25supporting the lighting diode LED, a U-bolt 26 maintaining the proximalend of a beam of lighting fibers housed in the inspection tube 2 andwhich distal end is housed at the distal end of the tube 2 to be able tolight the target to be inspected, and a power supply circuit 27 of thediode LED. The radiator 4 comprises ventilation inlets 28 and a circularorifice 29 housing the base 14 at the proximal end of the inspectiontube 2.

The connection plate 16 is fixed to the proximal face of the lower shell13 and supports the connection interfaces 18, 19, 20 of a USB key, aheadset, and an auxiliary visualization screen.

FIG. 5 shows electronic circuits of the videoendoscopic probe, accordingto one embodiment. The endoscopic probe may operate as well in an“autonomous” control mode as in a “remote control” mode, in which it iscontrolled by an external computer susceptible of implementing imageprocessing programs in delay time which may be much more powerful thanthose managed by the processing device integrated into the controlhandle 1.

The electronic circuits housed in the handle 1 comprise the videoprocessor VP, the video processing device TDP, a control circuit CL, thedisplay screen DS, and the transparent control touch panel DT. The videoprocessor VP performs image processing functions in real time (zoom,freezing, image inversion, low speed electronic shutter . . . ) andsetting functions for some video parameters (colorimetry, vertical andhorizontal outlines . . . ). The processing device TDP performsfunctions of image viewing, image storing and processing in real time.The processing device TDP comprises for example an embedded PC cardassociated to a compression video to USB converter. The control circuitCL performs managing all the electronic functions integrated into thecontrol handle 1.

In “autonomous” control mode, the image sensor IS integrated into thedistal tip of the probe transmits an electrical signal 76 to the videoprocessor VP through a multicore cable 77 housed in the inspection tube2. From the signal 76, the processor VP generates an analog video signal78 which is transmitted to the video processing device TDP. The deviceTDP generates from the signal 78 a digital video signal 79 which istransmitted to the display screen DS. The control touch panel DTtransmits orders 81 resulting from pointing made by the user, to thelogic control circuit CL. In return, the circuit CL elaborates controlorders 84 which are transmitted to the video processor VP and controlorders 82 which are transmitted to the processing device TDP.

In “remote control” mode, the control handle 1 is linked to a computerOP, for example of PC type, through an interface circuit INTC. Theinterface circuit INTO comprises a data compression video to USB codingcircuit FG, and control format conversion circuit CVC. The codingcircuit FG receives an analog video signal 80 transmitted by the videoprocessor VP and supplies a compressed video signal USB which may betransmitted through a USB link 88 to the computer OP. The video signal80 may be identical to the video signal 78. The conversion circuit CVCmay connect through a USB link 86 to the computer OP. The circuit CVCreceives from the computer OP logic orders in the USB format andconverts these orders into a logic format such as the format RS 232,chosen for the logic commands managed by the control circuit CL. Thecircuit CVC may be bidirectional to convert data coming from the controlcircuit CL and to transmit them through the link 86 to the computer OP.The control circuit CL thus has a second input for receiving controlsignals 83 coming from the conversion circuit CVC. The umbilical cable 3therefore comprises conductors allowing signals 80 and 83 to betransmitted, the proximal end of the umbilical cable 3 being connectableto the interface circuit INTC.

The computer OP conventionally comprises a visualization screen DS2 andseveral USB ports, a USB port 87 of which to connect to the control link86, a USB port 89 of which to connect to the video link 88, and a USBport of which to connect to a USB key 90 allowing images coming from thevideoendoscopic probe to be stored.

In “remote control” mode, the video signals 78, 79 transit between thevideo processor VP, the processing device TDP and the display screen DS.

The display screen performs its visualization function. The video links80 and 88 are active. The touch panel DT and the logic link 81 are madeinoperative, while the control links 82, 83, 84 and 86 are in service.In these conditions, the display screen DS only displays live nativeimages supplied by the video processor VP.

The computer OP thus performs the following functions:

-   -   parametering and processing in real time the video signals        processed by the video processor VP,    -   saving and processing in delay time the video images,    -   executing image processing programs in delay time, in particular        those requiring a high computing power, and    -   viewing live images coming from the video processor and images        coming from the processes in delay time.

FIGS. 6A to 6H show screen configurations displayed during variousprocessing phases. FIGS. 6A, 6B show a screen configuration forrespectively right handed and left handed user, displayed in the “live”operating mode. In FIGS. 6A, 6B, the screen is divided into an imagedisplay area 50, on the left in FIG. 6A and on the right in FIG. 6B, anda to control key display area 51 on the right in FIG. 6A and on the leftin FIG. 6B. The image display area makes it possible to display images,in particular those coming from the image sensor, two lines ofcharacters above the image, giving information on date/time and imageidentification, and an instruction line below the image.

The control key display area 51 has four navigation keys, upward 40,downward 41, leftward 42 and rightward 43. In the “live” operating modewhere the image display area 50 displays images coming from the imagesensor, these keys allows the angulation of the tip deflection to becontrolled in the vertical plane, and in the horizontal plane.

The control key display area 51 also displays a key 44 controlling thereturn of the tip deflection in neutral position, a key 45 controllingimage freezing, a key 46 controlling an image expansion and a key 47controlling an increase of the image sensor sensitivity to compensatefor insufficient lighting conditions. The key for returning in neutralposition 44 may be displayed in green color when the tip deflection isin neutral position, and in red color when it has an angulation. Thekeys 46 and 47 may be displayed in red color when the correspondingfunctions are in service.

The control key display area 51 also displays two keys for changing theoperating mode, i.e. a key 48 for accessing a library of images storedin a USB key plugged in the connector 18, and a key 49 for accessing amenu.

FIG. 6C shows a screen configuration displayed for a right handed user,when the key “MENU” 49 has been operated. The image display area 50shows the various menu items. The control key display area 51 shows thefour vertical and horizontal navigation keys 40 to 43, a key 52 allowinga selected item of the menu to be validated, and a key 53 for returningto the screen previously displayed. The vertical shift keys 40, 41allows a menu item to be selected, and the horizontal shift keys 42, 43allows an option associated to some menu items to be selected (forexample yes/no for the titling or date/time items). It is to be notedthat the screen technology implemented may also make it possible, if theuser wishes it, to directly select a menu item or an item option(yes/no) by pointing a stylus on the item or the item option desired,then on the validation key 52.

FIG. 6D shows a screen configuration for a right handed user when a“frozen” image is displayed in the image area 50 (after operating theimage to freezing control key 45). The image area 50 may also displaythe date and time at which the image displayed was frozen and a title.The control key display area 51 displays a key 54 controlling thestoring of the frozen image into a library of images (for example in theJPEG standard in the USB key connected to the control handle 1), and thekey 46 for controlling the image expansion. The control key display area51 also displays three keys for changing the operating mode, i.e. thekey 48 for accessing the library of images, the key 49 for accessing themenu and a key 55 for returning to the “live” mode for displaying imagescoming from the image sensor.

FIG. 6E shows a screen configuration for a right handed user, when thekey 48 for accessing the library of images has been operated in adisplayed screen. The image display area 50 displays a page showing thesix last images stored on the USB key connected to the videoendoscopicprobe. Each image is referenced by the Date/time information of itsinitial freezing. The control key display area 51 displays the fournavigation keys 40 to 43 which are here used to select pages of imagesadjacent to the page displayed and to select an image in the page ofimages displayed. The image selected is indicated by a frame around theimage references. The control key display area 51 also displays the key52 here for controlling the display in full scale of the image selected,the key 53 for returning to the previous screen and a key 56 controllingthe erase in the library of the images of the page of images displayedor the image selected. Here again, if the user desires it, the displayin full scale of the image selected may be directly obtained by pointinga stylus on the image desired.

FIG. 6F shows a screen configuration for a right handed user, during thefull-screen display of an image of the library, after activating the key52 in the screen configuration of FIG. 6E. The image display area 50shows the library image selected, and date/time information of itsinitial freezing. The control key display area 51 shows the navigationkeys leftward 42 and rightward 43 to display images of the libraryadjacent to the image displayed. The control key display area 51 alsoshows the key 46 allowing the displayed image to be expanded, the key 54allowing the image displayed to be saved, the key 56 allowing the imagedisplayed to be erased in the library, and the key 53 for returning tothe previous screen.

FIG. 6G shows a screen configuration for a right handed user, to duringa first operating phase of a stereo measurement program selected in thescreen configuration menu of FIG. 6C. The image display area 50 shows asplitted image 57, 58 either coming from the freezing of the endoscopicimage coming from the image sensor associated to a distal “stereo” head,or a splitted image previously stored in the library. The two is linesof characters displayed above the splitted image 57, 58 show date/timeinformation of the initial freezing of the image displayed, and allowthe origin of the image to be identified. Below the image, a line ofcharacters indicates the type of action to be performed in the contextof the current operating phase.

The control key display area 51 shows the four navigation keys 40 to 43for moving and positioning a cursor on a defect to be measured presenton the splitted image 57, 58 displayed. The control key display area 51also displays a key 60 for helping to the pointing to expand an imagearea around the cursor, the splitted image displayed on screen, thevalidation key 52 making it possible here to validate the pointingperformed and to pass to a following operating phase of the stereomeasurement program, and the key 53 for returning to the previousscreen. It is to be noted that the screen technology implemented mayalso make it possible, if the operator desires it, to directly performthe pointing required by the stereo measurement program, by directlypositioning the tip of a stylus on the end of the defect to be measuredon the splitted image displayed on the screen.

FIG. 6H shows a screen configuration for a right handed user, allowingan image title to be input, after selecting the corresponding operationin the “menu” screen of FIG. 6C. The image display area 50 shows inbackground the endoscopic image coming from the image sensor or the“frozen” image concerned by titling. Above the image, a line ofcharacters supplying date/time information of the displayed image, andanother line in which the title made by the user will form aredisplayed. In surimpression by encrustation in the endoscopic image, thedisplay area 50 shows a keyboard (AZERTY or QWERTY according to a choicepreviously made in the menu) comprising the current typing keys. Thecontrol key display area 51 has the four navigation keys 40 to 43 whichmakes it possible here to select a character or a control key displayedin the display area 50, the key 52 for validating the characterselected, and the key 53 for to returning to the previous screen. Hereagain, if the user wishes it, the title may be introduced by directlyselecting the successive characters of the title using a stylus or afinger.

It is to be noted that the control key display area 51 has a sufficientsurface to display several control keys of sufficient size to be able tobe individually operated by a finger of the user or using a stylus.

It will appear clearly to those skilled in the art that the presentinvention is susceptible of various embodiments and applications. Inparticular, the invention is not limited to the control handle shapeshown in FIGS. 2 to 4. The important thing is simply that the controlhandle integrates a display screen associated to a touch panel, having aformat such that images from the image sensor may be displayed byrespecting their format by occupying substantially the whole height ofthe display screen (with a possible difference of two or three textlines), but leaving one or two lateral areas at the right and/or theleft of the endoscopic image displayed, to display control keys ofsufficient size to be able to be individually operated.

It is not necessary either that the videoendoscopic probe can connect toan external operating equipment. Indeed, the probe previously describedmay comprise only one autonomous control mode in which it is controlledby the touch panel only and displays images and control keys on thescreen of the control handle.

1. A method for controlling a videoendoscope comprising avideoendoscopic probe comprising an inspection tube having a distal endhousing an image sensor, and a control handle fixed to the proximal endof the inspection tube, the control handle comprising a display screen,and a video processing circuit connected to the image sensor and thedisplay screen, the method comprising: providing the control handle witha display screen and a touch panel covering the display screen, thedisplay screen and the touch panel having a to format such that theirsurface may be divided into an image display area occupying a wholeheight of the display screen and having a format corresponding to thatof a photosensitive surface of the image sensor, and a lateral controlkey display area having a sufficient surface to display several controlkeys of sufficient size to be individually operated, and controlling thedisplay screen and the touch panel so as to display an image elaboratedfrom signals coming from the image sensor in the image display area, andseveral control keys in the lateral control key display area.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, comprising controlling the display screenand the touch panel so as to display and manage in the control keydisplay area all the control keys necessary to a usual operating phaseof the videoendoscopic probe.
 3. The method according to claim 1,comprising controlling the display screen and the touch panel so as todisplay the control key display area at the left and/or at the right ofthe image display area, according to a configuration parameter.
 4. Themethod according to claim 1, comprising controlling the display screenso as to display a control key in the control display area in variousways according to the state of a function controlled by the control key.5. The method according to claim 1, comprising controlling the displayscreen and the touch panel so as to display and manage navigation keysupward, downward, leftward and rightward, to control a distal tipdeflection of the videoendoscopic probe.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, comprising configuring the videoendoscopic probe in anautonomous control mode in which the probe is controlled from the touchpanel, or in a remote mode in which the probe is controlled from acomputer to which it is connected.
 7. The method according to claim 1,comprising controlling the videoendoscopic probe so as to perform atleast one of the following functions: managing information configuredaccording to an operating phase currently processed and displayed in theimage display area, managing control keys displayed in the control keydisplay area, according to the operating phase currently processed, andmanaging orders introduced through the touch panel, by activating acontrol key displayed.
 8. A videoendoscope comprising a videoendoscopicprobe comprising an inspection tube having a distal end housing an imagesensor, and a control handle fixed to the proximal end of the inspectiontube, the control handle comprising a display screen, and a videoprocessing circuit connected to the image sensor, the display screen anda proximal multicore cable allowing the video processing circuit to beconnected to an operating equipment, wherein the display screen iscovered by a touch panel, the display screen and the touch panel havinga format such that their surface may be divided into an image displayarea occupying a whole height of the display screen and having a formatcorresponding to that of a photosensitive surface of the image sensor,and a lateral control key display area having a sufficient surface todisplay several control keys of sufficient size to be individuallyoperated, the videoendoscope being configured to control the displayscreen and the touch panel so as to display an image elaborated fromsignals coming from the image sensor in the image display area, andseveral control keys in the lateral control key display area.
 9. Thevideoendoscope according to claim 8, configured to control the displayscreen and the touch panel so as to display and manage in the controlkey display area all the control keys necessary to a usual operatingphase of the videoendoscopic probe.
 10. The videoendoscope according toclaim 8, configured to control the display screen and the touch panel soas to display the control key display area at the left and/or at theright of the image display area, according to a configuration parameter.11. The videoendoscope according to claim 8, configured to control thedisplay screen and the touch panel so as to display a control key in thecontrol display area in various ways according to the state of afunction controlled by the control key.
 12. The videoendoscope accordingto claim 8, configured to control the display screen and the touch panelso as to display and manage navigation keys upward, downward, leftwardand rightward, to control a distal tip deflection of the videoendoscopicprobe.
 13. The videoendoscope according to claim 8, configured to havean autonomous control mode in which it is controlled from the touchpanel, or in a remote mode in which it is controlled from a computer towhich it is connected.
 14. The videoendoscope according to claim 8,configured to perform at least one of the following functions: managinginformation configured according to an operating phase currentlyprocessed and displayed in the image display area, managing control keysdisplayed in the control key display area, according to the operatingphase currently processed, and managing orders introduced through thetouch panel, by activating a control key displayed.
 15. Thevideoendoscope according to claim 8, wherein the display screen and thetouch panel have a 16/9 format, while the photosensitive surface of theimage sensor has a 4/3 format.
 16. The videoendoscope according to claim8, wherein the video processing circuit is connected to a proximalmulticore cable allowing the video processing circuit to be connected toan external operating equipment.
 17. A videoendoscopic system comprisinga videoendoscope and a computer connected to the videoendoscope throughan interface circuit, the videoendoscope comprising a videoendoscopicprobe comprising an inspection tube having a distal end housing an imagesensor, and a control handle fixed to the proximal end of the inspectiontube, the control handle comprising a display screen, and a videoprocessing circuit connected to the image sensor, the display screen anda proximal multicore cable allowing the video processing circuit to beconnected to an operating equipment, wherein the display screen iscovered by a touch panel, the display screen and the touch panel havinga format such that their surface may be divided into an image displayarea occupying a whole height of the display screen and having a formatcorresponding to that of a photosensitive surface of the image sensor,and a lateral control key display area having a sufficient surface todisplay several control keys of sufficient size to be individuallyoperated, the videoendoscope being configured to control the displayscreen and the touch panel so as to display an image elaborated fromsignals coming from the image sensor in the image display area, andseveral control keys in the lateral control key display area.
 18. Thevideoendoscopic system according to claim 17, wherein the videoendoscopeis configured to control the display screen and the touch panel so as todisplay and manage in the control key display area all the control keysnecessary for a usual operating phase of the videoendoscopic probe. 19.The videoendoscopic system according to claim 17, wherein thevideoendoscope is configured to control the display screen and the touchpanel so as to display the control key display area at the left and/orat the right of the image display area, according to a configurationparameter.
 20. The videoendoscopic system according to claim 17, whereinthe videoendoscope is configured to control the display screen and thetouch panel so as to display a control key in the control display areain various ways according to the state of a function controlled by thecontrol key.
 21. The videoendoscopic system according to claim 17,wherein the videoendoscope is configured to control the display screenand the touch panel so as to display and manage navigation keys upward,downward, leftward and rightward, to control a distal tip deflection ofthe videoendoscopic probe.
 22. The videoendoscopic system according toclaim 17, wherein the videoendoscope is configured to have an autonomouscontrol mode in which it is controlled from the touch panel, or a remotemode in which it is controlled from a computer to which it is connected.23. The videoendoscopic system according to claim 17, wherein thevideoendoscope is configured to perform at least one of the followingfunctions: managing information configured according to an operatingphase currently processed and displayed in the image display area,managing control keys displayed in the control key display area,according to the operating phase currently processed, and managingorders introduced through the touch panel, by activating a control keydisplayed.
 24. The videoendoscopic system according to claim 17, whereinthe display screen and the touch panel have a 16/9 format, while thephotosensitive surface of the image sensor has a 4/3 format.
 25. Thevideoendoscopic system according to claim 17, wherein the videoprocessing circuit is connected to a proximal multicore cable allowingthe video processing circuit to be connected to an external operatingequipment.
 26. The videoendoscopic system according to claim 17, whereinthe computer is configured to perform, in a remote control mode of thevideoendoscope, at least one of the following functions: parameteringand process functions in real time of the video signals processed by thevideo processor VP, saving and processing in delay time the videosignals, executing an image process program in delay time, visualizingimages coming from the videoendoscopic probe and coming from process indelay time.
 27. The videoendoscopic system according to claim 17,wherein the interface circuit is configured to be connected to thecomputer through a link of USB type to transmit video images between thevideoendoscope and the computer, and a link of USB type to transmitcommands of the videoendoscope from the computer in a remote controlmode of the videoendoscope.